The bell rings obnoxiously, signaling the end of the period. My French teacher reminds us of our homework and the class collectively groans as we collect our stuff. I grab my binder, folder, and pencil case from under my seat and head out the door.
A million things are on my mind, most of them angry or depressing. I dodge my way through a group of popular girls and walk briskly towards my next class. I have math next and I'm dreading it. We have a test and I completely forgot to study. I'm so screwed.
My mind starts to drift to food and my stomach grumbles. I look down at my jeans and ruffle through the small pockets, searching for food. I then awkwardly shift my books to my other hand to look in my other pocket. I not to run into people but I end up brushing shoulders with a few upperclassmen.
Disappointed that I don't have any food, I take my books with both hands and look up. I turn a corner, almost to math, and collide roughly with a stranger. Their books fall all over the place, but I just stager back.
"I'm so sorry, I was coming around that corner and I didn't see you..." I trail off and bend down to help the all so familiar stranger. Even though I can't see his face at first, I recognize his hair and the smell of his cologne. It's a hard, manly scent laced with more feminine undertones.
"Mina, don't stress out, it's fine. I'm actually glad I ran into you. I've been look for you," Joe says, smiling as always.
I freeze and slowly look up at his deep brown eyes.
"You've been looking for me? Why?" I ask cautiously, not quite sure I want to hear the answer.
He hesitates, looking back at the ground and picking up the last of his stuff. "I wanted to ask you," he begins, taking a deep breath. All of a sudden the bell screeches again and we both shoot up to our feet. I curse under my breath.
"I gotta go Joe, sorry. I'll make sure to catch you later, though, okay?" I start off in the opposite direction and wave over my shoulder. He mimics me and gives me a cute half smile, making my heart flutter. I walk as quickly as physically possible.
What was he going to ask me? Maybe he was going to ask me to the dance next Friday? No, probably not. I'm sure it was just about homework or something, like it always is.
I get to math late, earning nasty glares from my teacher. As she drones on and my hunger takes over, my mind begins to drift back to Joe. Why do I like him so much? He's actually kind of annoying. Attractive, but annoying. I shake my head and laugh at myself. I can't believe I like Joe, that's so ridiculous. I just wish there was something I could do about it.
